'ChatGPT Father' to Sell Electricity Generated by Nuclear Fusion... Signs Contract with MS

Sam Altman, founder and CEO of OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, has embarked on the commercialization of nuclear fusion power, a technology often called the dream technology.

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 10th (local time), Helion Energy, a nuclear fusion startup invested in by Altman, has signed an electricity supply contract with Microsoft (MS).

Under this contract, Helion must supply at least 50 MW of electricity annually to MS through nuclear fusion power starting in 2028.

This is the first time a power supply contract through nuclear fusion power has been finalized. Nuclear fusion power is a technology that artificially induces reactions similar to those occurring in the sun on Earth to generate energy. Once commercialized, it will enable virtually unlimited electricity generation without emitting greenhouse gases or pollutants.

WSJ pointed out that considering humanity has not yet produced electricity through nuclear fusion power, this contract is quite bold. Despite astronomical research investments since the 1950s by countries including the United States, nuclear fusion power has not been realized due to technical challenges.

Helion, in which CEO Altman has invested $375 million, plans to build a facility capable of demonstrating nuclear fusion power by next year. The company aims to commercialize nuclear fusion technology five years thereafter.

Microsoft, which has integrated OpenAI's ChatGPT into its products such as search engines and cloud services, will maintain a collaborative relationship with Altman in the field of nuclear fusion power as well.

Brad Smith, MS Vice Chairman, stated, "If we were not confident that nuclear fusion technology development would accelerate, we would not have made this contract," expressing an optimistic stance on the commercialization of nuclear fusion.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.